Timmy Thomas’ original ‘Hotline Bling’ hook gets vinyl reissue

Originally released in 1972, Timmy Thomas’ peace anthem ‘Why can’t We Live Together’ is to get an official 12″ vinyl reissue after being sampled on Drake’s ‘Hotline Bling’. The 2015 hit was built around Thomas’s stripped-back hook, made with just a Hammond organ and percussion from an early rhythm machine.

An invocation to peace at the height of the Vietnam War, the single was an unexpected chart hit back in 1973, and has been covered and sampled several times, by everyone from Sade to MC Hammer to Andre 3000.

Available in several incarnations since (although the original album is yet to get a vinyl reissue), the track is now getting an official vinyl reissue from famed disco label T.K. Records. The 12″ is backed by a remix from Late Nite Tuff Guy that takes a light touch in beefing up and extending the original for added dance floor zing.

As for Thomas, if his reaction to being sampled by Drake is anything to go by (“I’m just excited. You can hear it in my voice. I’m excited. I’m verrry excited”), he’ll probably be thrilled.